The government is planning to call Budget 2007 towards the middle of October, keeping in trend with the previous three budget dates, said parliamentary secretary Tonio Fenech yesterday.

Mr Fenech said this when presenting the pre-budget document to social partners within the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development. Mr Fenech said that this budget focused on the individual as well as the needs of families. He also explained that rather than focusing on the technical aspects of the economy, this budget would press for reform so as to allow Maltese families to take part in all aspects of the country’s activity.

He also said that it was time for direct measures to be taken in the social policy sphere to target specific sectors of society so they too can make a direct contribution towards the growth of the Maltese economy. He said that one such measure would be directed towards people with a disability to help them integrate into the world of work. Also, direct measures will be announced to help parents who want to remain in employment while raising a family.

Mr Fenech reminded that the budget is drafted according to the specific needs of the country during that particular year. “Which is why it is updated every year,” he said. He also reminded that the budget document is put together to work in synergy with Malta’s EU funding budget allocation for the period 2007-2013.

He said he expected the social partners to mull over the document before giving their reactions in a detailed analysis, also adding that suggestions are welcome. He said that the initial reaction of the social partners was a good one, with them recognising that the pre-budget document was extensive and contained a whole range of proposals and schemes to allow for economic growth and the sharing of wealth.